First Name: Ryan
Surname: Gravenberch
Squad Number: 38
Position: Midfielder
D.O.B: 16.05.2002.
Town of Birth: Amsterdam
Country of Birth: Netherlands
Nationality: Dutch
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The way the midfield seems to be evolving, I fear he might become the odd man out - not this season but perhaps in a year or two. I don’t think he has the combative traits to be a no. 6 that shields the defence, nor the vision, speed and quality of passing, both short and long, that are required to dictate the tempo.
His best role in a high pressing team should be next to a natural no. 6, in my opinion, of which we have none, unfortunately, and it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting one any time soon.
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It isn’t his combatitive traits, it is his positional awareness and reading of the game.
He is one of the best in regards to not being dribbled past, he is above the 95 percentile.
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I have to disagree. He is often out the picture imo due to his lack of combativity, he shies away.
When he does pick up the courage he can do a reasonable job. Last season he hid behind VVD and Konaté a lot, which was horrendous.
His major attribute defensively was interceptions when the press forced the oppositiond hand.
However it’s his inability to impose a vision on the game that worries me most, lack of courage?, which means he must learn to pass early to someone who does have some vision, Wirtz?
These are coaching decisions and Slot imo got it all wrong.
I hope Iraola is better at player assessment than Slot. If he’s not Gravenberch risks becoming a waste of space.
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I guess the question is, if he can’t shield the back four and he can’t run the game, what does he add?
How do you see his contribution?
For me he’s very system dependant. He needs those Infront to press well. Get in the intercepts and lay it off quickly and cleanly. In other words a limited role for a limited player.
Of course he has his tricks, turn and beat the press on him which is excellent however after he’s done it get the ball quickly to someone with greater vision. He shouldn’t be seen dribbling up the field offer not a lot.
My big hope is he improves his aggression and courage and becomes valuable. As it stands his best work was in the championship winning season when he kept it simple. Once he started trying to do more it fell to pot.
You cannot look at last season as a comparison defensively as he was hamstrung by the coach and him wanting a plus 1 system.
This mostly meant Grav staying alongside the back 4, this was mentioned all the time when anyone analysed Slots supposed defensive structure/philosopy.
Regarding possession he was poor last season that cannot be denied.
For me like a lot of our players, they are getting a pass for last year and most have already shown an improvemeant under Andoni.
Ah sorry I missed this. Very interesting, thank you.
I agree. He can run through occasionally and it looks nice, but he´s quite limited really as a player. He doesn´t read the game well and his passing play is not very good.
That can be fine. Masch was limited on the ball, but I think his strengths don´t add something we massively need, unlike Masch. I agree in what I think you are suggesting, that he needs to be a very good ball winner and keep it simple.
I realise this Sporty however this remains my position. I think last season and the season before underline this.
I think he can be a very useful player if used ‘correctly’. The coach and he have to come to terms with his strengths and limitations. The big problem is I feel his efficacity is very reliant on the efforts of the rest of the team.
@Liverdinner my position is he needs to be heavily involved with winning the ball back (not necessarily a ball winner). More importantly be an option when playing it out and keeping it simple. Helping to create space for more creative players to do thier magic. An unsung hero?